January 28 Daily Devotion | For Such a Time as This

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

“Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.” James 5:13-15 NLT

Friends! You’ve been placed where you are for such a time as this—Esther 4:14. Do you see it? You’re an example to all around you – so set the believers an example in your speech, conduct, faith, love and purity – 1 Timothy 4:12. This example of yours is powerful and lasting.

Now is the time to rise up and be Jesus’ hands and feet in the lives of others. May we be like Jesus who said in John 9:4, “We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.”

Many continue to search today, recognizing the power in spiritual things, and thus they desire a spiritual life, however, they fail to realize that truth, Jesus Christ, is the only spiritual pillar that is unchanging, thus stabilizing and comforting in times of trial and sorrow.

They need Christians to point to Jesus Christ.

The most important detail in the world is the truth of God Almighty and having a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. People need to know the Truth in order to be freed from the bondage of sin—John 14:6. They need to know Jesus! And God’s called you to share Christ with others right where He has placed you.

I personally believe – God places us where we will be most effective for Him and His glory.

Where has He placed you to shine the light of Jesus Christ?

Do you see those around you who need to know that Jesus saves—Acts 4:12! Those who need to hear that He rescues us from the terrors of coming judgment—1 Thessalonians 1:10!

In these verses, James clearly calls out various life situations we all face and how our conduct should be in light of them. He is being directive, telling us Christians what we should do – thus also the call, for us to encourage others to live this way also – as these steps make us more like Jesus Christ.

We all need to be reminded that God wants to hear from us when we are suffering hardships. He absolutely cares about our well-being and is ever present, bending down to hear our whispered or shouted prayer—James 5:13a.

We need to be reminded to praise the Lord when we are thankful—James 5:13b. This heart attitude, keeps us from becoming prideful as we honor God who is the giver of all things and the One who brings any type of increase.

We need to be reminded to call the elders of the church and ask for prayer when we are sick or if a loved one is sick—James 5:14. Jesus heals, and He has called people to the elder position for the well-being of the church— James 5:15. The prayer of faith, truly heals the sick. It is simply trusting in the One who is Healer, asking for His will to be done – desiring to be a part of God’s work in the lives of His people. And if any have sinned, James states here, their sins will be forgiven.

It reminds me of Jesus – when He healed people throughout the gospel accounts – we see how He either told the one once sick, “Your faith has healed you,” or “Go and sin nor more.” This indicates, sickness and the need for healing can be caused by different spiritual issues in the individual’s life that negatively affected them physically. It could be because of demonic oppression, it could be to grow the individual in faith as they witness Jesus’ never leaving presence and/or miraculous healing, or it could be caused by their own sin. Regardless, Jesus is ever present and today moves through His righteous people so that many experience healing and He receives the glory.